Donald Shaver

Donald McQueen Shaver (born August 12, 1920) was a Canadian pioneer in the poultry industry, who founded a breeding company that achieved worldwide prominence. At its peak Shaver Poultry Breeding Farms was the world's largest, being one of only two "world class foundation breeding" companies in Canada. Shaver died in 2018 of age related causes.

He developed an interest in poultry when in 1932 he was given two hens by a great aunt. Young Don would travel by bicycle to attend poultry conferences given by Prof. W.R. Graham at OAC. Shaver rose in rank to Lieutenant Colonel, and remained in Europe until January 1946. along with seven other major poultry breeders worldwide. Part of the 288's initial success may have been due to its resistance to Marek's disease; as better vaccines became available, the 288 lost some of its advantages.

At the advice of C.D. Howe, Shaver expanded outside Canada in the late 1950s. Chile was the first international market, followed by the US, the UK, France and Germany. By 1957, Shaver had a Romanian operation, and in 1970 one in Ghana. At his retirement in 1985, his company was operating in 94 countries. Shaver was acquired by ISA in 1988, and then became part of Merial. The egg layer business kept the Shaver name, and was sold as Natexis Industrie in 2003, and then to Hendrix Genetics in 2005.

Other pursuits In 1962 Shaver ran unsuccessfully as a federal Liberal candidate. He later donated these flocks to the University of Guelph.

Achievements and recognition Officer of the Order of Canada Waterloo Region Museum, Region Hall of Fame Cambridge Hall of Fame former Honorary Colonel of The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada received three Honorary Doctor of Sciences Degrees: McGill University in 1983, University of Guelph in 1995, University of Alberta 2007 Director of the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Director of Gore Mutual Insurance Company American Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1989.

Electoral record